Mapping of Forest Alliances and Associations Using Fuzzy Systems and Nearest Neighbor Classifiers

The study and management of biological communities depends on systems of classification and mapping for the organization and communication of resource information. Recent advances in remote sensing technology may enable the mapping forest plant associations using image classification techniques. But few areas outside Europe have alliances and associations described in detail sufficient to support remote sensing-based modeling. Northwestern Montana has one of the few plant association treatments in the United States compliant with the recently established National Vegetation Classification system. This project examined the feasibility of mapping forest plant associations using Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper data and advanced remote sensing technology and image classification techniques. Suitable reference data were selected from an extensive regional database of plot records. Fifteen percent of the plot samples were reserved for validation of map products, the remainder of plots designated as training data for map modeling. Key differentia for image classification were identified from a suite of spectral and biophysical variables. Fuzzy rules were formulated for partitioning physiognomic classes in the upper levels of our image classification hierarchy. Nearest neighbor classifiers were developed for classification of lower levels, the alliances and associations, where spectral and biophysical contrasts are less distinct. Maps were produced to reflect nine forest alliances and 24 associations across the study area. Error matrices were constructed for each map based on stratified random selections of map validation samples. Accuracy for the alliance map was estimated at 60%. Association classifiers provide between 54 and 86% accuracy within their respective alliances. Alternative techniques are proposed for aggregating classes and enhancing decision tree classifiers to model alliances and associations for interior forest types

A 'Multiple Lenses' Approach to Policy Change: the Case of Tobacco Policy in the UK

This article examines a period of rapid policy change following decades of stability in UK tobacco. It seeks to account for such a long period of policy stability, to analyse and qualify the extent of change, and to explain change using a 'multiple lenses' approach. It compares the explanatory value of policy network models such as punctuated equilibrium and the advocacy coalition framework, with models stressing change from 'above and below' such as multi-level governance and policy transfer. A key finding is that the value of these models varies according to the narrative of policy change that we select. The article challenges researchers to be careful about assuming the nature of policy change before embarking on explanation. While the findings of the case study may vary with other policy areas in British politics, the call for clarity and lessons from multiple approaches are widely applicable

Ações de Prevenção da Deficiência Mental, dirigidas a Gestantes e Recém-Nascidos, no âmbito da Saúde Pública da Grande Vitória-ES

The accomplishment of prevention in Public Health requires a systematized knowledge for the proposition of a program and its evaluation. When it comes to the prevention of Mental Deficiency, which afflicts around 10% of the population, little is known in Brazil. By adopting a methodology for cataloging MD preventive actions in hospitals and health units, with pregnant women and newborns, it was possible to describe and analyze the actions of the public health system in Greater Vitoria/ES, indicating the levels of prevention which were most covered. Preventive actions (PA) of five large public hospitals, nine health units and six health offices, from 1996 to 1997 were studied. Data from 25 interviews show that these places made 51.5% of the 433 possible PA (57.4% of primary prevention and 45.5% of the secondary). Along with the particularization of the action of each municipality and place researched, the obtained data was useful for analyses and possible changes in maternal-infantile health indicators.Faire de la prévention dans la santé publique est conditionné par une très bonne connaissance afin de proposer des programmes et les évaluer. Au Brésil, on sait peu de choses sur la prévention de la déficience mentale, qui atteint pourtant 10 % de la population. Adoptant une méthodologie et pour faire un catalogue des actions préventives de déficience mentale dans les hôpitaux et les unités de santé, pour les femmes enceintes et les nouveau-nés, on a pu décrire et analyser les actions de santé publique dans la ville de Grande Vitoria (État du Espirito Santo), indiquant le niveau de prévention les plus couverts. On a regroupé les actions de prévention de cinq hôpitaux publics importants, neuf (31 %) unités de santé et six bureaux centralisateurs, entre 1996 et 97. Les données de vingt-cinq entrevues montrent que ces locaux réalisent 51,5 % des 433 actions de prévention possibles (57,4 % de prévention primaire et 45,5 % de secondaire). En détaillant les réalisations de chaque municipalité et local étudié, les chiffres fournissent des ressources pour des analyses et les modifications possibles dans les indicateurs de santé maternelle et infantile.Fazer prevenção em Saúde Pública implica em conhecimento sistematizado para a proposição de programas e sua avaliação. Quanto à prevenção de Deficiência Mental, que atinge cerca de 10% da população, pouco se conhece no país. Adotando uma metodologia para levantamento de ações preventivas de DM em hospitais e unidades de saúde, junto a gestantes e recém-nascidos, fo i possível descrever e analisar a atuação da rede pública de saúde da Grande Vitória/ES, indicando os níveis de prevenção mais atendidos. Foram levantadas as ações de prevenção (AP) de cinco hospitais públicos de grande porte, nove (31%) unidades de saúde e seis secretarias de saúde, entre 1996-97. Os dados de 25 entrevistas mostram que esses locais realizavam 51,5% das 433 AP possíveis (57,4% da prevenção primária e 45,5% da secundária). Particularizando a atuação de cada município e local pesquisado, os dados fornecem subsídios para análises e possíveis mudanças nos indicadores de saúde materno-infantil

Prior mucosal exposure to heterologous cells alters the pathogenesis of cell-associated mucosal feline immunodeficiency virus challenge

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several lines of research suggest that exposure to cellular material can alter the susceptibility to infection by HIV-1. Because sexual contact often includes exposure to cellular material, we hypothesized that repeated mucosal exposure to heterologous cells would induce an immune response that would alter the susceptibility to mucosal infection. Using the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) model of HIV-1 mucosal transmission, the cervicovaginal mucosa was exposed once weekly for 12 weeks to 5,000 heterologous cells or media (control) and then cats were vaginally challenged with cell-associated or cell-free FIV.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Exposure to heterologous cells decreased the percentage of lymphocytes in the mucosal and systemic lymph nodes (LN) expressing L-selectin as well as the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ T cells. These shifts were associated with enhanced ex-vivo proliferative responses to heterologous cells. Following mucosal challenge with cell-associated, but not cell-free, FIV, proviral burden was reduced by 64% in cats previously exposed to heterologous cells as compared to media exposed controls.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The pathogenesis and/or the threshold for mucosal infection by infected cells (but not cell-free virus) can be modulated by mucosal exposure to uninfected heterologous cells.</p